26th MEU begins relief efforts in Staten Island

Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit work with members of the New York Sanitation Department to clear out the tremendous piles of debris that have accumulated on Staten Island in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Nov. 5. The 26th MEU is able to provide generators, fuel, clean water, and helicopter lift capabilities to aid in disaster relief efforts. The 26th MEU was currently conducting pre-deployment training, preparing for their departure in 2013. As an expeditionary force operating from the sea, the MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations.

Cpl. Michael S. Lockett/USMC

By AMANDA WILCOX - Daily News Staff

Published: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 01:25 PM.

The Marines and sailors of the Camp Lejeune-based 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are currently in the beginning stages of helping residents of
Staten Island
,
N.Y.
, recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy.

“We’ve all seen the news, but to actually walk around and talk to people about what they are going through allows us to build a clearer picture as we conduct our planning,” 26th MEU Commanding Officer Col. Matthew St. Clair said in a press release.

Over the weekend, the 26th MEU — which consists of more than 300 Marines and sailors — has been clearing debris and “relieving human suffering” as part of their initial effort to move ashore to more fully support the borough in their disaster relief efforts, according to the release.

“Despite the devastation, seeing the communities come together and help each other is motivation for us. Marines always talk about ‘one team, one fight’ and we’re just joining their team,” St. Clair said in the release.

St. Clair has been leading his service members aboard the USS Wasp since they deployed last week by conducting disaster relief assessments and surveying damage inflicted by
Sandy
along southeastern
Staten Island
by one of 12 helicopters with the MEU, according to the release.

The UH-1N Huey helicopter from Marine Light Attack Squadron 467, which is currently assigned to the 26th MEU, has been vital in damage assessment. The Marines are using the helicopters to survey damaged areas of Staten Island in preparation for follow-on support to local residents, and the flights have also allowed the Marines to land in the hardest-hit areas and see what local leaders and residents need most, according to the release.

The 26th MEU was in pre-deployment training before receiving orders to head north to the New York-New Jersey areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. As an expeditionary force-in-readiness operating from the sea, the MEU is capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response and limited contingency operations.

The Marines and sailors of the Camp Lejeune-based 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are currently in the beginning stages of helping residents of Staten Island, N.Y., recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy.

“We’ve all seen the news, but to actually walk around and talk to people about what they are going through allows us to build a clearer picture as we conduct our planning,” 26th MEU Commanding Officer Col. Matthew St. Clair said in a press release.

Over the weekend, the 26th MEU — which consists of more than 300 Marines and sailors — has been clearing debris and “relieving human suffering” as part of their initial effort to move ashore to more fully support the borough in their disaster relief efforts, according to the release.

“Despite the devastation, seeing the communities come together and help each other is motivation for us. Marines always talk about ‘one team, one fight’ and we’re just joining their team,” St. Clair said in the release.

St. Clair has been leading his service members aboard the USS Wasp since they deployed last week by conducting disaster relief assessments and surveying damage inflicted by Sandy along southeastern Staten Island by one of 12 helicopters with the MEU, according to the release.

The UH-1N Huey helicopter from Marine Light Attack Squadron 467, which is currently assigned to the 26th MEU, has been vital in damage assessment. The Marines are using the helicopters to survey damaged areas of Staten Island in preparation for follow-on support to local residents, and the flights have also allowed the Marines to land in the hardest-hit areas and see what local leaders and residents need most, according to the release.

The 26th MEU was in pre-deployment training before receiving orders to head north to the New York-New Jersey areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. As an expeditionary force-in-readiness operating from the sea, the MEU is capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response and limited contingency operations.

Contact Daily News Military Reporter Amanda Wilcox at 910-219-8453 or amanda.wilcox@jdnews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AWilcox21.